Page:JPS-1917-Universal.djvu/984

39.5 :Or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
 * Whose house I have made the wilderness,
 * And the salt land his dwelling-place.
 * He scorneth the tumult of the city,
 * Neither heareth he the shoutings of the driver.
 * The range of the mountains is his pasture,
 * And he searcheth after every green thing.


 * Will the wild-ox be willing to serve thee?
 * Or will he abide by thy crib?
 * Canst thou bind the wild-ox with his band in the furrow?
 * Or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
 * Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great?
 * Or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
 * Wilt thou rely on him, that he will bring home thy seed,
 * And gather the corn of thy threshing-floor?


 * The wing of the ostrich beateth joyously;
 * But are her pinions and feathers the kindly stork's?
 * For she leaveth her eggs on the earth,
 * And warmeth them in dust,
 * And forgetteth that the foot may crush them,
 * Or that the wild beast may trample them.
 * She is hardened against her young ones, as if they were not hers;
 * Though her labour be in vain, she is without fear;
 * Because God hath deprived her of wisdom,
 * Neither hath He imparted to her understanding.
 * When the time cometh, she raiseth her wings on high,
 * And scorneth the horse and his rider.


 * Hast thou given the horse his strength?
 * Hast thou clothed his neck with fierceness?
 * Hast thou made him to leap as a locust?
 * The glory of his snorting is terrible.
 * He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength;
 * He goeth out to meet the clash of arms.
 * He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted;
 * Neither turneth he back from the sword.
 * The quiver rattleth upon him,
 * The glittering spear and the javelin.
 * He swalloweth the ground with storm and rage;
 * Neither believeth he that it is the voice of the horn.
 * As oft as he heareth the horn he saith: 'Ha, ha!'
 * And he smelleth the battle afar off,
 * The thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


 * Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom,
 * And stretch her wings toward the south?
 * Doth the vulture mount up at thy command,
 * And make her nest on high?
 * She dwelleth and abideth on the rock,
 * Upon the crag of the rock, and the stronghold.
 * From thence she spieth out the prey;